Jewish stories for children of all ages

The power of Tehillim

The Rav of Ehrfurt has a dream in which a man dressed in white appears, holding a sefer tehillim and carrying an important message. 

A Polish nobleman returns to his people

Count Vladek is no friend to the Jews, so his fellow nobles are surprised to hear him vote against a new decree. They would be even more surprised to hear that his name was once Velvel, and would be again soon.

The Czar sends a spy to the Ruzhiner Rebbe

When the Czar hears that the Ruzhiner Rebbe might not be a loyal subject, he sends a spy to Ruzhin in the hopes of ensnaring the Rebbe into slandering the Czar. But the Rebbe sees through the disguise and sets the spy straight.

A father's gift is recovered by the Baal Shem Tov

Yaakov Leib is a silversmith, a master craftsman whose works are very valuable. His most precious work is a silver seder plate, intended for his young daughter Miriam's eventual wedding. When cruel robbers steal the plate, Miriam is heartbroken to lose her father and vows not to marry until the plate is recovered. The holy Baal Shem Tov makes sure that every last piece of the silver seder plate is brought back to Miriam.

Yisrolik's candle

Yisrolik loves to stay late in the beis medrash learning Torah, but his father wants to make sure that Yisrolik gets enough rest. The shamash agrees to make sure that Yisrolik has only one small candle, enough to last for just one hour of learning. But Yisrolik is special, and the candle wants to keep burning.

The healing look

The Chernobler Rebbe stops at a wayside inn for some refreshments, and discovers that the innkeeper's daughter is unwell. With a simple glance, the Rebbe soon sets things right but explains that it was no miracle after all. 

The message of the clock

When Rabbi Yosef of Tulchin becomes unexpectedly stranded at a roadside inn for several days due to heavy rains, he offers the innkeeper a clock in lieu of payment. The clock hangs on the wall for several years until a visitor recognizes the chime and shares the message of the clock.

Everything has a purpose

When Hilke the innkeeper is falsely accused, he visits the Rebbe for advice and a brocho, but when the Rebbe mentions that "even mice have a purpose", Hilke is confused. As the case goes to trial, Hilke sees that the Rebbe's words were actually profound.

Chagigah, the Blacksmith's loyal companion

When Yaakov was orphaned, a kindly blacksmith took him in and taught him the trade. Yaakov lived a solitary life, alone except for Chagigah, his beloved volume of the Talmud. Yaakov's devotion to Chagigah is rewarded when he needs it the most.

The Baal Shem Tov and the professor

The holy Baal Shem Tov takes his talmidim on a journey. They stop at a spring on the way and then visit an old man who greets the Baal Shem Tov like a long-lost brother. Later, they travel to a city and spend Shabbos with a Jewish tailor and a local anti-semite. Many years later, the talmidim learn of the purpose of their journey.